Missouri Western State University Selected to Host Division II Women's Elite Eight in 2009 and 2010

INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Committee selected Missouri Western State University as the host for the 2009 and 2010 Women’s Elite Eight.

The Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship Tournament will make a return trip to St. Joseph, Missouri, after Missouri Western hosted the Elite Eight championship in 2003 and 2004.

Although the committee considered multiple factors in reviewing all of the bids, committee chairperson Sandy Michael said Missouri Western’s central location was key to the group’s goal of developing a strong fan base for Division II women’s basketball.

“Missouri Western has a history of conducting the tournament and doing a very fine job,” said Michael. “The university also has a commitment from the community to get involved. They’ve proven themselves and the community has embraced Division II basketball. We’re looking for that to happen again and to take it to another level.”

Missouri Western Director of Athletics Mark Linder called the region surrounding the school a hotbed for women’s basketball and expects the St. Joseph community to enthusiastically support the tournament.

“We think we’re sitting in a premier location right in the middle of four regions that are pretty successful in the sport of women’s basketball,” he said. “We’re extremely excited about hosting the tournament again and we appreciate the opportunity. In 2003 and 2004, the community really supported the tournament and I expect the same in 2009 and 2010 from our great sports fans.”

Southern Connecticut State University won the 2007 Division II Women’s Elite Eight at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, which also will host the 2008 Women’s Elite Eight March 26, 27 and 29.